Conservation Learning Coordinator - Vacany announcement (27/05/05)

Good afternoon everyone:

A vacancy in IUCN based here in Gland that may be of interest to CEPA elist members. Please pass on to any interested colleagues.

Best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Title: Conservation Learning Coordinator (IUCN function group P2)
Duty station: IUCN Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to: Head of Global Communications
Availability: Immediate

Background

The Global Communications Unit is responsible for communications activities of worldwide relevance for IUCN – The World Conservation Union. Three Coordinators – of Conservation Learning, Programme Communications and Global/Corporate Communications – work with communicators and programme staff in the different programmes and regional offices. They report to the Head of Global Communications.

General Description

The Conservation Learning Coordinator plays a pivotal role within the Global Communications Unit, working with every team member and advising the Secretariat and six IUCN Commissions – networks of volunteer scientists and experts – on capacity development approaches, methodologies and mechanisms with respect to natural resource management and sustainable development.

He or she supports the implementation of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication’s (CEC) mandate:

To foster leadership in conservation and sustainable development via the World Conservation Learning Network (WCLN), developing and distributing practical courses for professional development, drawing on knowledge within the Union, the experiences of key stakeholders and universities as partners in the initiative.
To advocate for and support a programme for communication, education, participation and awareness (CEPA) linking the major environmental conventions with regional agreements and the Decade on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
To empower and support IUCN Global and Regional Programmes to develop capacity in environmental and sustainable development education and communication, promoting learning and empowering stakeholders to participate in achieving IUCN’s mission.
The incumbent is required to work with the Commission Chair and/or her designates and to administer the network, coordinate its activities and materialize strategies to advance the external relations of the Commission. S/he will also liaise with programme staff, communicators and Commission focal points based both in Headquarters and throughout the decentralized Secretariat.

Specific Duties

Coordinate the preparation of the annual work plans and budget in accordance with the priorities established by the IUCN Programme and the strategic plan of the Commission on Education and Communication;
Support the governance of the Commission on Education and Communication, including membership affairs, its Steering Committee meetings and Bureau, reporting on the implementation of its strategic plan, and the management of Commission funds.
Support the development, implementation and monitoring of conservation learning plans, methodologies and toolkits for Secretariat and Commission programmes; and apply these at both global and regional levels.
Work closely with the World Conservation Learning Network (WCLN) Project Director to promote the WCLN as a cross-cutting service, ensure its further development (including fund raising, network expansion, and sound governance) and establish collaboration with key IUCN members and partners.
Coordinate and support CEC activities on communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) for the environmental conventions, as well as on the Education for Sustainable Development Decade (ESD).
Support IUCN’s presence at global meetings, as well as take the lead on selected events, with relevance to capacity development and the Commission.
Work with IUCN staff around the world to develop and nurture new partnerships with organizations specialising in the field of environmental capacity development.

Knowledge & Skills

IUCN is looking for a well-rounded, experienced and flexible communicator/capacity developer. The ideal candidate is experienced in the field of environment and sustainable development, with a sound understanding of the challenges of capacity development and learning management, and familiarity with associated technological advances.

The Conservation Learning Coordinator a must be a competent team player who performs well in stressful circumstances and is able to produce high-quality outputs within stringent deadlines. This person is proactive, able to take direction and be a team player as needed, as well as work independently and use initiative. S/he should have programme and budget management experience, in addition to a demonstrated ability in fund raising and project development.

This position requires a postgraduate degree in learning management, capacity development or proven equivalent experience, with at least 10 years of national and international (multi-cultural) experience in capacity building, preferably combining academic with practical experience. Applicants must be computer literate with good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as web-based communications.

Fluency in English and preferably in one or both of IUCN’s other official languages (French and Spanish).

Applications

Applicants are asked to submit their CV and a supporting letter of motivation in English. The letter must specifically address the selection criteria in the order presented above. Applicants should further provide the names/contact details of three referees, including one recent employer.

Applications should be submitted, preferably by email, before 20 June 2005 exclusively to:

Human Resources Officer

IUCN – The World Conservation Union

Rue Mauverney 28

1196 Gland, Switzerland

Fax : +4122 999 0339

E-mail : jobapplications@iucn.org

www.iucn.org

Please do not send your application via multiple routes.

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